Montgomery County Fire Marshal advises on home heating systems

Published 5:15 am, Friday, November 14, 2014

As temperatures fall over the coming days, many residents will be firing up their home’s heating appliances for the first time this year.

Home heating fires often occur at the worst possible time, breaking out in the middle of the night while our families are asleep. The number one safety recommendation is to first and foremost have working smoke detectors throughout the home, especially in all sleeping areas.

Having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire, Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said.

In 2010, the National Fire Protection Association reported that heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 490 civilian deaths, 1,540 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.

Portable space heaters account for a third of all home heating fires and 4 out of every 5 home heating fire deaths.

The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities has caused many Americans to search for alternative home heating sources such as wood burning stoves, space heaters, and fireplaces.

Heating is one of the leading causes of residential fires. Over one-quarter of these fires result from improper maintenance of equipment, specifically the failure to clean the equipment.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is another danger when using heating equipment fueled by fossil fuel. It occurs most often when equipment is not vented properly. CO deaths have been on the rise since 1999, and estimates range as high as 700 deaths annually.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is most fatal to adults age 65 or older. Homes with gas appliances must also have a Carbon Monoxide Detector on each floor.